MELBOURNE has included former co-captain Jack Grimes for Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at the MCG, but as expected has lost Neville Jetta (concussion) and Dean Kent (hamstring) from last round’s exciting 32-point win over Richmond.
Grimes, who has been named in the starting 22, is one of five players to be included in Melbourne’s 25-man squad.
Midfielder Jordie McKenzie, ruckman Jake Spencer, tough-nut Aidan Riley and versatile tall Cameron Pedersen have also been brought into the provisional line-up, with the quartet named on the extended interchange.
Manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Melbourne was forced to make at least two changes for this round.
“With Dean Kent’s hamstring injury and Neville Jetta suffering concussion, Jack Grimes will play on the weekend and following tomorrow’s (Friday) training session, we’ll know who the other replacement will be for this week,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“Jack has had a consistent past two or three weeks at Casey Scorpions and played his best game last week. He certainly looked a step above VFL level and he deserves his opportunity.
“The other inclusions will depend on the type of structure that we want to go into the game with against Fremantle.”
McKenzie, Spencer, Riley and Pedersen have yet to play a match this season, but have been pushing hard for selection with good form in the VFL.
Spencer was an emergency for rounds two and three and Pedersen was an emergency last round.
It is the first time McKenzie and Riley have been named in the 25 this year.
Former Power player Ben Newton, rookie Aaron vandenBerg and ex-Docker Viv Michie have also been named on the seven-man bench.
Newton and vandenBerg have played all four matches this year in their first season at the club. Both have been impressive since joining the Demons.
Michie also made a strong return last round, when he collected 19 touches after starting as substitute. He replaced the injured Kent, who as revealed earlier in the week, will miss the next 12 weeks with a hamstring injury. The Western Australian underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair the hamstring.
Jetta will miss at least this match and will be assessed leading in round six.
He has suffered several knocks in recent times and will be carefully monitored.
Interestingly, Melbourne has used just 25 players this season – the same amount as Adelaide, Fremantle and Greater Western Sydney. Only the Sydney Swans (24) have used the least amount of players in 2015.
Forward Jack Watts will celebrate a milestone this round when he plays his 100th AFL match against Freo.
Watts, who recently turned 24 years old, made his AFL debut in round 11, 2009, after being the No.1 pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Melbourne will be aiming for its third win of the season and attempting to keep its winning record up at the ‘G this year.
The match starts at 1.10pm.
Melbourne team: round five
B: Colin Garland, Tom McDonald, Jeremy Howe
HB: Christian Salem, Lynden Dunn, Jack Grimes
C: Heritier Lumumba, Bernie Vince, Daniel Cross
HF: Jeff Garlett, Jesse Hogan, Jay Kennedy-Harris
F: Jack Watts, Chris Dawes, Angus Brayshaw
FOLL: Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones, Dom Tyson
I/C (from): Ben Newton, Aaron vandenBerg, Viv Michie, Jordie McKenzie, Cameron Pedersen, Aidan Riley, Jake Spencer
IN: Jack Grimes, Jordie McKenzie, Jake Spencer, Aidan Riley, Cameron Pedersen
OUT: Neville Jetta (concussion), Dean Kent (hamstring)
